Fastest-growing jobs in Illinois

UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.5% (730 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,120
--- Employment in 2023: 3,390
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $35,540

#50. Sewing Machine Operators
No Automated Backlink
Off
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.7% (2,320 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 12,540
--- Employment in 2023: 10,220
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,770

#49. Production Workers, All Other
No Automated Backlink
Off
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +23.5% (3,460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 18,170
--- Employment in 2023: 14,710
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,570

#48. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
No Automated Backlink
Off
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +23.8% (490 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,550
--- Employment in 2023: 2,060
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $40,310

#47. Food Processing Workers, All Other
No Automated Backlink
Off
welcomia // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +24.8% (400 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,010
--- Employment in 2023: 1,610
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,650

#46. Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
No Automated Backlink
Off
DGLimages // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +25.1% (1,050 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,240
--- Employment in 2023: 4,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $68,710

#45. Healthcare Social Workers
No Automated Backlink
Off
Lucky Business // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +25.2% (3,640 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 18,100
--- Employment in 2023: 14,460
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,290

#44. Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
No Automated Backlink
Off
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +25.4% (1,180 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,820
--- Employment in 2023: 4,640
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $104,000

#43. Electrical Engineers
No Automated Backlink
Off
Kitreel // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.9% (2,920 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 13,400
--- Employment in 2023: 10,480
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,440

#42. Food Batchmakers
No Automated Backlink
Off
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.0% (610 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,790
--- Employment in 2023: 2,180
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $101,000

#41. Fundraising Managers
No Automated Backlink
Off
michaeljung // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.3% (360 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,630
--- Employment in 2023: 1,270
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $103,020

#40. Power Plant Operators
No Automated Backlink
Off
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.9% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,470
--- Employment in 2023: 1,140
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $74,010

#39. Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
No Automated Backlink
Off
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.1% (990 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,390
--- Employment in 2023: 3,400
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $71,790

#38. Special Education Teachers, Middle School
No Automated Backlink
Off
THICHA SATAPITANON // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.5% (640 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,810
--- Employment in 2023: 2,170
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $98,410

#37. Financial Risk Specialists
No Automated Backlink
Off
Alena Veasey // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.9% (3,760 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 16,320
--- Employment in 2023: 12,560
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $31,580

#36. Cooks, Fast Food
No Automated Backlink
Off
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.1% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,510
--- Employment in 2023: 1,930
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $75,350

#35. Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
No Automated Backlink
Off
Erickson Stock // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.3% (460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,980
--- Employment in 2023: 1,520
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $78,790

#34. Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other
No Automated Backlink
Off
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.6% (850 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,630
--- Employment in 2023: 2,780
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,580

#33. Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
No Automated Backlink
Off
Chad McDermott // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.8% (280 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,190
--- Employment in 2023: 910
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $80,140

#32. Urban and Regional Planners
No Automated Backlink
Off
worradirek // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.8% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,020
--- Employment in 2023: 780
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $35,100

#31. Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
No Automated Backlink
Off
Alexander Oganezov // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.9% (2,810 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 11,910
--- Employment in 2023: 9,100
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $30,980

#30. Amusement and Recreation Attendants
No Automated Backlink
Off
industryviews // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.4% (550 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,300
--- Employment in 2023: 1,750
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $75,090

#29. Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School
No Automated Backlink
Off
Dragon Images // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.8% (340 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,410
--- Employment in 2023: 1,070
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,830

#28. Chemical Technicians
No Automated Backlink
Off
shocky // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +33.4% (1,080 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,310
--- Employment in 2023: 3,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,420

#27. Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
No Automated Backlink
Off
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.5% (750 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,860
--- Employment in 2023: 2,110
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,100

#26. Medical Equipment Preparers
No Automated Backlink
Off
LightField Studios // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.8% (490 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,860
--- Employment in 2023: 1,370
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $53,870

#25. Interpreters and Translators
No Automated Backlink
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fizkes // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +37.3% (1,010 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,720
--- Employment in 2023: 2,710
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $95,080

#24. Labor Relations Specialists
No Automated Backlink
Off
Kuznetsov Dmitriy // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +38.1% (320 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,160
--- Employment in 2023: 840
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,720

#23. Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
No Automated Backlink
Off
Dragon Images // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +39.2% (2,390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,480
--- Employment in 2023: 6,090
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $84,580

#22. Insurance Underwriters
No Automated Backlink
Off
Roman Zaiets // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +40.9% (360 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,240
--- Employment in 2023: 880
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,410

#21. Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
No Automated Backlink
Off
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +41.6% (320 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,090
--- Employment in 2023: 770
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $78,600

#20. Biological Scientists, All Other
No Automated Backlink
Off
Indypendenz // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +42.6% (1,040 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,480
--- Employment in 2023: 2,440
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,940

#19. Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
No Automated Backlink
Off
Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +43.8% (4,920 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 16,150
--- Employment in 2023: 11,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $33,830

#18. Recreation Workers
No Automated Backlink
Off
Motortion Films // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +46.3% (1,050 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,320
--- Employment in 2023: 2,270
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $65,400

#17. Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
No Automated Backlink
Off
Vagengeim // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +48.5% (470 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,440
--- Employment in 2023: 970
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,500

#16. Dental Laboratory Technicians
No Automated Backlink
Off
kanemme6 // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +53.7% (1,460 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,180
--- Employment in 2023: 2,720
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,050

#15. Tire Repairers and Changers
No Automated Backlink
Off
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +54.3% (570 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,620
--- Employment in 2023: 1,050
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $55,290

#14. Real Estate Brokers
No Automated Backlink
Off
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +68.6% (1,770 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,350
--- Employment in 2023: 2,580
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,990

#13. Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other
No Automated Backlink
Off
antoniodiaz // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +69.2% (900 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,200
--- Employment in 2023: 1,300
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $30,230

#12. Gambling Dealers
No Automated Backlink
Off
DGLimages // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +75.9% (1,230 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,850
--- Employment in 2023: 1,620
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $40,050

#11. Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
No Automated Backlink
Off
chalermphon_tiam // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +76.2% (480 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,110
--- Employment in 2023: 630
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $66,110

#10. Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
No Automated Backlink
Off
Noin90650 // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +78.5% (1,720 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,910
--- Employment in 2023: 2,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,260

#9. Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
No Automated Backlink
Off
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +78.7% (1,330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,020
--- Employment in 2023: 1,690
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $33,750

#8. Demonstrators and Product Promoters
No Automated Backlink
Off
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +79.4% (3,440 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,770
--- Employment in 2023: 4,330
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $99,270

#7. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
No Automated Backlink
Off
indukas // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +84.4% (760 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,660
--- Employment in 2023: 900
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $131,260

#6. Physicists
No Automated Backlink
Off
photodiem // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +87.1% (810 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,740
--- Employment in 2023: 930
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $30,690

#5. Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
No Automated Backlink
Off
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +94.0% (2,330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,810
--- Employment in 2023: 2,480
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $78,430

#4. Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
No Automated Backlink
Off
Martin Smith // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +110.8% (2,560 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,870
--- Employment in 2023: 2,310
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,320

#3. Parking Attendants
No Automated Backlink
Off
Oil and Gas Photographer // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +144.4% (650 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,100
--- Employment in 2023: 450
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $98,240

#2. Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
No Automated Backlink
Off
Susan Law Cain // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +153.5% (660 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,090
--- Employment in 2023: 430
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $64,550

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

#1. Tree Trimmers and Pruners
No Automated Backlink
Off
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock